Stop this war, nature is going to continue to win.

We constantly hear that “our food is the safest in the world.” But is it really true, or is that just what they want us to believe? Diana Stuart’s “Illusion of Control” explains how recent outbreaks with leafy greens are indicators of a much bigger problem. The goals of industrial agriculture are focused around profit and control, but these are at the expense of consumer health and nature’s ecosystem. The basis of industrial agriculture is the manufacturing model. The reason this model doesn’t work is because the industry cannot control nature. They may be able to control the media, but not nature. They have created a war with nature, by reducing the “wildlife” aspect of farming, and increasing the use of ground buffers. These standards have caused an increased risk to the health of the consumer. These changes have resulted in the reduction of natural solutions to pathogens and loss of diversity. When we have natural solutions to fight off pathogens, why remove them? While these standards create a belief of industrial control, it is just an illusion.

Since there have been outbreaks, the industries respond with new technologies and increased money being spent on public relations. There are many different types of technology that are supposed to regain the consumer’s confidence in the product. But this confidence couldn’t be achieved without the help of the PR staff. It is their job to make you believe that your food is safe, and they do a pretty good job at it. I know I still find myself eating spinach, even after it was recalled. But these outbreaks continue to occur, so is it our fault for believing the media? These new technologies that are made will never be strong enough to fight the ever- changing natural ecosystem. The only way there will be a reduction of outbreaks is for the industry to acknowledge the importance of nature and to treat agriculture in a non-manufacturing way. It is time to stop paying the PR staff and focus the resources on nature.